Introduction to Short Stories BBL 3216 Unit 1

What is a Short Story? A short story is relatively brief fictional prose narrative, which may vary widely in length. In fact, it is often difficult to determine where a short story ends and a short novel or novella, begins. Because novels were long, they took a long time to read- hours, days, even weeks. The American writer Edgar Allan Poe( ), addressed this problem and developed a theory of the short story. A short, concentrated story(he called it “a brief prose tale” which could be read in one sitting) was ideal for producing such a strong impression. Some writers of short stories are William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Shirley Jackson, Guy de Maupassant, Flannery O Connor, Alice Walker, and Eudora Welty.

TYPES OF SHORT STORIES Short stories can be categorized in several different ways. It is possible that one short story may fit into several different categories. The plot short story: It is a narration telling a series of events that has a traditional pattern of structure. A conflict is identified at the beginning, the action bundles until it reaches a climax, and then the story either ends or gradually goes to the end. The action story: A type of plot story, the action story is dependent primarily upon what the characters do, not upon deep development of characters or theme. Most of the actions are physical.

The plotless short story: In this type, there apparently is no action or very little action. The story appears to be mostly the description of a character or the creation of a mood. While this may seem like a useless type of short story in fact the author does not want to come to a firm conclusion. The plotless story may well be more realistic than any other type since as life itself cannot always be said to be organized. The character story: This type of short story has, as its main purpose, the revealing of something about one main character; for that reason there may be very little plot. The character may be involved in only one episode, and he may be the only character in the tale. At the end of the story, the reader usually knows a good deal about the character

The thematic story: In this type, the author’s main purpose is to develop one particular theme; the theme may attempt to reveal some great truth about life such as “humanity is corrupted” or a simple statement about life such as “mothers are always worrying about their children.” The psychological short story: Sometimes the character of the story fits into this category. Typically any action in the story takes place within the character-such as changes in feelings, states of mind, beliefs, desires, and attitudes. One leaves such a story knowing a great deal about what the character is like internally.

The episodic story: This type of story also referred to as the “slice of life” type. It consists of one main incident. What has happened may be told, hinted at, or not told at all. What happens after the incident is left up to the reader, although the author makes that clear. While the incident may not appear to be important, it may capture some aspect of life quite well and may even reveal more.

Elements of Fiction Character Elements of Fiction - Character A sympathetic hero or heroine—one with whom the reader can identify and whose adventures and triumphs the reader can share. Stories, like plays, are about characters- characters who are not real people but who are nevertheless like real people. Most stories are concerned with characters who are facing a major problem, which may involve interactions with other characters, with difficult situations, or with an idea or general circumstances that force action. The characters may win, lose or tie. They may learn and be the better for the experience or may miss the point and be unchanged.

Plot In which something exciting is always happening and in which there is a strong element of suspense. Fictional characters, who are drawn from life, go through a series of life-like actions or incidents, which make up the story. In a well-done story, all the actions or incidents, speeches, thoughts, and observations are linked together to make up an entirely, sometimes called an organic unity.

Outcome Sends the reader away disturbed/undisturbed and pessimistic/ optimistic about the world

Theme If the story has a theme- that confirms the reader’s already- held opinions of the world. The word idea or theme refers to the result or results of general and abstract thinking. In literary study the consideration of ideas relates to meaning, interpretation, explanation, and significance. Writers may deal with the triumphs and defeats of life, their admirable and the despicable, the humorous and the pathetic, but whatever their goal, writers are always expressing ideas about human experience.

We therefore raise questions such as these as we look for ideas in fiction:

Symbolism ◦In its broader sense, symbolism is the use of one object to represent or suggest another, It sees a person, object, action or situation that, charges with meaning suggests another thing. ◦For example, a dark forest may suggest confusion or perhaps evil. It usually differs from a metaphor in that a symbol is expounded, or repeated.

Symbols are neither puzzles nor colorful details but are among the concrete embodiments that give the story accuracy and meaning. Symbolism in short story deals with the abstract layer of meaning. More specifically, a symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance. In literature, symbols are often used deliberately to suggest and reinforce meaning, to help to organize and unify the whole work. In short story, symbols are more often used since a short story should be economical in language. Some symbols have associations shared universally (for example, water for fertility).